The X Factor comes to New Zealand
Fremantle Media and TV3 will co-produce the New Zealand version of the popular talent show The X Factor.
The announcement:
The world’s biggest entertainment program is coming to New Zealand’s TV3 with FremantleMedia Australia (FMA) and MediaWorks today announcing a local production of The X Factor.
The X Factor New Zealand will be a co-production between FMA and MediaWorks for TV3. TV3 have also secured the exclusive broadcast rights of the Australian and US versions of the program from FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME). The X Factor Australia will premiere on Australia’s Channel Seven later this year and the US version will premiere with Simon Cowell, the creator of the format, as a judge in 2011 on Fox. New Zealand production will begin in Auckland later this year for a 2011 broadcast.
“Programs like The X Factor don’t come along every day. It is a global super hit and the chance to bring it to New Zealand is one that excites us and Sony Music very much” said Ian Hogg CEO FremantleMedia Australia. Sony will launch the career of our series winner so you can be sure that The X Factor contestants will soon dominate the airwaves.
Kelly Martin, TV Director of Programming said: “We’re thrilled to have secured such a phenomenal show. We know that the talent is out there to make X Factor a world class entertainment event right here in New Zealand.”
Jon Penn, CEO Asia Pacific FME, added “We are very much looking forward to working with TV3 to make The X Factor property a huge success in New Zealand. Paul Ridley, our EVP of regional TV distribution has done a great job to include international versions of the show into the deal and we aim to further capitalise on the anticipated success of The X Factor New Zealand to launch a range of brand licensing extensions across consumer products, promotional licensing, mobile and online platforms.”
Since its first UK series in 2004, The X Factor has established itself as the world’s leading singing talent search – successfully launching in over 20 territories, including France, Russia, Spain, Greece, Italy and Denmark. Winning contestants include Leona Lewis, who won The X Factor in the UK in 2006 – she has gone on to become a multi-platinum artist across Europe, the US and Australia. Her debut album ‘Spirit’ sold over 6.5 million copies globally. 2008 winner Alexandra Burke is currently touring the world promoting her debut album Overcome.
The X Factor is open to singers of all ages – either solo performers or groups. Once through the final audition process, the four judges will take on mentoring roles, as the performers are split into categories – Boys under 25, Girls under 25, the over 25s and the Groups. The X-Factor New Zealand will be a co-production between FremantleMedia Australia and MediaWorks for TV3.
TV3 is also the home of FremantleMedia Enterprises represented programs Project Runway and Grand Designs.
Source: Freemantle Media press release
